How to Travel With Teens

Time flies. Soon your high-schoolers will be leaving the nest, and you'll have to work harder to stay connected with their lives. Foster strong bonds now by planning a trip they'll enjoy and remember.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Don't be a trip dictator or the vacation could turn into a disaster. Respect your teen's input and feelings. Involve him or her in the planning stages by downloading maps (Mapquest.com), researching attractions, and creating the game plan (see 418 Prepare an Itinerary).
2. Consider vacationing at a resort or on a cruise that has activities for different age levels, such as Club Med's Teen Clubs (clubmed.com), so your teen can hang out with peers and get a rest from siblings.
3. Allot spending money for each teen, and let them make decisions on which extras to buy. See 248 Teach Your Kids About Money.

Tips & Warnings

• Teens often need more sleep and more calories than adults, so plan accordingly.
• Give licensed teens practice driving and reading maps part of the way.
• Allow your teen his or her independence and privacy, but not at the risk of safety. New cities and situations may require new rules.